On Sept. 16, Tampa Elks Lodge #708 presented its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to representatives at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital to be used by the maternity care program to help fund a drive-thru baby shower. The event was held Nov. 14 and was organized by the hospital’s Voluntary Services department. Thirty-five guests drove through the parking lot and each received a basket filled with items for the expectant mothers and their babies such as receiving blankets, towels, hats, soap, shampoo, bottles, nipples, pacifiers, bottle brushes, outlet covers, diapers and wipes, onesies, and socks.
According to Diane J. Meleen who is retired from the U.S. Army and who is a VAVS Deputy and a lodge Veterans Committee member, “The maternity care program provides maternity care to female veterans. These female veterans must have served in the military and must be enrolled in the VA Health Care System. Maternity care coverage includes clinic visits, hospitalization for delivery as well as the first seven days of newborn care. After delivery, the veteran (mother) will continue to be covered at the VA, but newborn health care is not covered. The maternity care program has discovered shortcomings in after care support for new mothers after they deliver. These shortcomings range from lack of family support, homelessness, complicated physical and mental health problems, financial duress, and/or lack of employment. Further complicating after care recovery, female veterans can also suffer a complex assortment of mental health issues which spike during pregnancy, lack of a support network, and financial and emotional stress of raising a child as a single parent. The VA program currently serves 150 female veterans which is a 300% increase from 2015. After delivery, the maternity care program connects the new mother with a VA Community Care social worker who helps to support individual concerns.”
Tammy Tenace, RN, MS, APRN, maternity care coordinator at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, was extremely appreciative of Tampa Lodge’s donation. She noted, “The feedback from the veterans was praise and gratitude for the shower gifts. For some, this was their only baby shower due to COVID and families living far away.”
Pictured at the check presentation are Janeth Lopez, Volunteer Services at hospital; Tammy Tenace, maternity care coordinator; Laura Jones, Lodge Secretary; Chris Miles, Exalted Ruler; Diane Meleen, VAVS Deputy and lodge Veterans Committee member; Melissa Sundin, assistant director of the hospital; Kristie Mathews, lodge Veterans Committee member; and Brian Brantley, VAVS Representative.
Pictured at the baby shower are Shayna Rodriguez from Public Affairs; Vivian Oliver, chaplain; Tammy Tenace, maternity care coordinator; Jan Flemons, volunteer; Robin Mariani, Women Veteran Program manager; and Dr. Geethi Abraham (standing behind table) from the Women’s Center who volunteered for the day.
